Michael J. Meyer, 78, of Saint Marys, Ohio, and formerly of Boston, Massachusetts, died 8:35 P.M. Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, Saint Marys.

Mike was born April 17, 1942, in Lima, Ohio, the son of Leonard and Mary Elizabeth (Klaus) Meyer.

From an early age, Mike felt a call to the Roman Catholic priesthood, and he left his home in Delphos to attend high school at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, and then continued his formation at Mount St. Marys Seminary in Cincinnati. His life took another turn, though, and he first served as a teacher at Lima Central Catholic High School, while pursuing a Master's Degree in Cultural Anthropology at Xavier University. He spent a long career on the faculty of Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts in Boston. While there he contributed to many textbooks and helped develop the cultural anthropology curriculum.

He collaborated with film maker Ken Burns on a project, and he later befriended Don Henley of the band the Eagles, while they both worked to preserve the land surrounding Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Henry David Thoreau wrote his book "Walden, or Life in the Woods," a study of transcendentalism, about that pond, and Mike deeply believed that living life simply and deliberately was the path to follow. While Mike didn't get to live out his calling as a Roman Catholic priest, his gentle demeanor, commitment to daily prayer, and deep understanding of other faith traditions led many people to say "Mike would have been a great priest!"

He enjoyed working with his sisters at Spring Flowers in Saint Marys after his retirement from teaching, and he will be remembered for his interesting conversations and great sense of humor.

Mike is survived by his siblings Paul (Esther) Meyer of Elida; Lucian (Linda) Meyer of Wapakoneta; Marie Meyer of Saint Marys; Jeannie Meyer of Saint Marys. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings John Meyer, Frank Meyer and Chris Meyer.

Memorial rites for Mike will be held 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, the Reverend Rhonda Hanier, officiant.

Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home, and condolences may be sent to Mike's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.